Sergeant Robert A Steedman

Robert Alexander Steedman served in Airborne Forces with 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion during the Second World War.

Robert originally served with 47 Reconnaissance Regiment, before transferring to Airborne Forces. He completed Parachute Course 92 at RAF Ringway in early December 1943, and was subsequently posted to 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion. Course 92 ran between 17 November and 3 December 1943 and consisted of 8 jumps. Robert's jump instructor noted this about his performance:

"Very cool and steady, average performer"

Sergeant Steedman took part in the Normandy campaign following D-Day on 6 June 1944. As part of Operation Tonga, he emplaned a Stirling aircraft at Keevil runway 6h 01m before D-Day, which was flown by RAF 299 Squadron. He jumped at 4h 23m before D-Day near Ranville at Drop-zone N before capturing Le bas de Ranville and digging in to protect the Eastern bridgehead of Bénouville Bridge (now named Pegasus Bridge) from German counter offensives.

Sgt Steedman survived the brutal fighting at Breville which killed and wounded significant numbers of his regiment but the town was captured; a significant achievement and key to the Normandy invasion success such that it is considered a battle honor in 12 Para Bn history. He was wounded on 7 July 1944, understood to be at Le Mesnil (War Diary extract of A Coy 12 Para Bn's action at Le Mesnil 7 July 1944 | ParaData), and sent to Kyre Hospital in England to recover. It was here he met his future wife Barbara as she and her mother played the piano to entertain the wounded soldiers.

After a short period of recuperation, the 6th Airborne Division returned to the UK in September 1944. It was deployed over Christmas 1944 and into the New Year to the Ardennes to halt a German counter-offensive in the region.

Later in March 1945, the Division took part in the last major Airborne operation in Europe on Operation Varsity, the Rhine Crossing. After a successful landing, Divisional troops were deployed as ground infantry on the Advance to the Baltic as the War in Europe came to an end. Sgt Steedman was wounded prior on this Advance to the Baltic on 16 April 1945.

Sgt Steedman remained in the Army after VE Day in Europe. The 12 Para Bn was deployed as part of 5th Parachute Brigade to the Far East, as the British Army prepared for war with the Japanese. The surrender of the Japanese in August prevented the need for further deployments East. The 5th Parachute Brigade remained however, and played an important role in the re-establishment of civilian infrastructure. In 1946 the Battalion transferred to Palestine to join the rest of 6 Airborne Division.

In July 1946 Robert joined the 4th Para Bn and stayed with them until he joined the Reserves 30 May 1947. He was discharged from all military service 12 January 1953 with the rank of 2nd Lt. 

Please see his service records for further details.